It’s the perfect recipe for success ― thousands of motivated, grass-roots fundraisers, hundreds of ideas and just one cause: finding an end to cancer.

Third-party events benefiting MD Anderson have brought in nearly $10 million over the past five years. These events are conceptualized, organized and executed solely by individuals and foundations committed to Making Cancer History®. Events run the gamut from bake sales and cook-offs to fun runs and bike rides, each supporting oncology research and providing support for cancer patients at MD Anderson.

"We're grateful for the support and continued commitment of our third-party partners," says Tom Buchholz, M.D., professor, Radiation Oncology. "Their hard work is advancing cancer treatment at an accelerated pace, enhancing the lives of our patients and cancer patients everywhere."

James Dudley and Britton Holland are two such partners. Their event, the Stock Grill Challenge, features a unique cooking challenge that "levels the playing field" for contestants by having them compete for the best barbecuedd chicken, ribs or brisket while using the exact same equipment. The challenge also includes an open category and a fundraising category in which all funds go directly to MD Anderson.

"The first Stock Grill Challenge was in November of 2011," says Dudley. "We raised about $4,500 that first year. We raised about $20,000 last year, and we've raised about $100,000 over the course of six Stock Grill Challenges. We hope to top that this year on November 11."

Like most other third-party event organizers, Dudley has a personal stake in the mission to end cancer. His wife, Ann Margaret, was diagnosed with breast cancer not long after a Stock Grill Challenge to raise money for triple negative breast cancer.

“We want all of the support and checks to go directly to MD Anderson,” says Dudley. “Third- party events give people the confidence and the security that their donation is going straight to the hospital ― exactly where we want it to go.”